Support hook for use with vehicles

Abstract

The present invention is a lifting device that is useful for loading heavy and bulky objects into a motor vehicle, such as a van or sport utility vehicle. The device comprises a weight support structure having a weight transfer foot that is adapted to removably attach to a roof section of a motor vehicle, such as the rain gutters commonly provided on vans and sport utility vehicles. A hook structure is fixedly attached to the weight transfer foot, by methods common in the industry, such as welding. When the weight transfer foot is attached to the roof section of a motor vehicle the hook structure hangs down below the roof and is available for supporting the heavy object. Chains or cables attached to the heavy object may then be removably attached to the hook structure, allowing the heavy object to be levered up and into the vehicle.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for loading objects into motor vehicles comprising a pair of weight transfer feet that are adapted to removably attach to opposite sides of a roof section of a motor vehicle, a load positioning bar that removably attaches to and extends between the pair of weight transfer feet, a weight lifting structure that is attached to the load positioning bar and is adapted to incrementally lift and position heavy objects into and within the motor vehicle.  
     
     
         2 . The device as in    claim 1    wherein the weight lifting structure further comprises an outer housing through which the support bar slidingly extends, said outer housing further has a threaded aperture that receives a locking screw.  
     
     
         3 . The device as in    claim 2    wherein the weight lifting structure further has a lifting subunit that comprises a solid bar that attaches to the outer housing of the weight lifting structure, said solid bar having two chain receiving tangs adapted such that a load securing chain that is adapted to be removably attached to one chain receiving tang located at one end of the solid bar and a lever that is attached to the remaining chain receiving tang located at the opposite end of the solid bar and is adapted to incrementally lift an object that is secured to the load securing chain.